How could this be? The mystery of assumption.

        "My soul glorifies the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Savior." As I heard this words by Mary to her cousin Elizabeth this morning at mass, I couldn't help but feel a great joy in my heart. Having gotten up early and gone to mass with my family to celebrate the assumption of Mary into Heaven today was obviously rewarded throughtout the mass, but these words especially moved me. I know this may sound foreign to many and even many good Christians, but for us Catholics, this tradition and belief that the mother of Jesus was assumed into heaven bodily shortly after her death is something that has been celebrated for centuries going back to the early Church. Tradition has it that "Mary died in the presence of all the Apostles, but that her tomb, when opened, upon the request of St. Thomas, was found empty; wherefrom the Apostles concluded that the body was taken up to heaven."  This truth has been contemplated by faithful Christians and saints through out the centuries and guided by the Holy Spirit have all come to the same conclusion; that it was fitting for the mother of God to follow her Son into His heavenly throne body and spirit.
   While the incarnation of Christ moves my mind to an awe filled state whenever I contemplate the fact that God became man, His ascension into Heaven doesn't seem at all strange to me and it is not one that I struggle believing for it was fitting that the Son of God go back to His home. However, when I meditate upon the assumption of Mary, I am awefilled. The assumption of Mary is one of the mysteries of the life of Jesus and Mary that brings me great awe but also great hope. Jesus' ressurection and ascension breathes assurance of our final destiny with him in heaven, but Mary's assumption breathes great hope of the fulfilment of this promise. God can surely ressurect and ascend into heaven, no problem! but Mary is a creature and her assumption speaks of the great generosity of God to his children. I guess I think that if He can do it for Mary, there is hope for us. Not that we are as holy as she was, but that we are all creatures and rest our hope in God. This is why those words by her makes my heart so merry and like Mary "my soul glorifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my savior."  Yes indeed we have reasons to rejoice with Mary.  Just like the angels rejoiced and were filled with awe when they saw the Woman who had been chosen to become the mother of God come to heaven, so will they rejoice when we are brought into Heaven following the fulfilment of Our Lord that "if we love him and keep his commandments, where he is, there shall we also be."  I pray that this mystery of the great generosity of God brings all the joy and graces to you that it brings me. 
Lord Jesus, come in glory.
Mary our Mother, pray for us.